In pictures: May 21 storm in Ottawa
A powerful storm tore across the Ottawa region on Saturday, May 21, toppling trees and hydro poles, damaging buildings, and knocking out power. Three people have died as a result of injuries sustained during the storm.
Photos from around the region show the extent of the damage.
TREES DOWN
Residents and community members gather to look at a tree that was destroyed during a major storm in Ottawa on Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Residents and community members gather to look at a tree that was destroyed during a major storm in Ottawa on Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Damage in Barrhaven on Calaveras Avenue. The car survived the tree on top with hardly a scratch. (Photo courtesy of Denise MacIsaac)
Damage in Barrhaven on Calaveras Avenue. The car survived the tree on top with hardly a scratch. (Photo courtesy of Denise MacIsaac)
Firefighters clear fallen trees from Highway 105 in Chelsea, Que. ( Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
Firefighters clear fallen trees from Highway 105 in Chelsea, Que. (Joel Haslam/CTV News Ottawa)
DAMAGED POWER LINES
More than 170,000 customers in Ottawa lost power and tens of thousands more were left in the dark in eastern Ontario. Hydro Ottawa and Hydro One say it will take several days to restore service to everyone affected.
People walk away along Merivale Road, after power lines and utility poles came down onto the roadway during a major storm, forcing motorists to remain in their vehicles until crews determined it was safe to leave, on Merivale Road in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
People walk away along Merivale Road, after power lines and utility poles came down onto the roadway during a major storm, forcing motorists to remain in their vehicles until crews determined it was safe to leave, on Merivale Road in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A traffic light and segment of a utility pole are seen in the intersection of Viewmount Drive and Merivale Road after a major storm took down power lines and utility poles, blocking in multiple vehicles, on Merivale Road in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A traffic light and segment of a utility pole are seen in the intersection of Viewmount Drive and Merivale Road after a major storm took down power lines and utility poles, blocking in multiple vehicles, on Merivale Road in Ottawa, on Saturday, May 21, 2022. (Justin Tang/THE CANADIAN PRESS)
HEAVY WINDS, RAIN AND HAIL
The storm blew into Ottawa at around 3 p.m. Saturday, bringing wind gusts up to 120 km/h at times. Officially, Ottawa saw 15 mm of rain at the Ottawa Airport, but residents also reported seeing hail.
The storm blew shingles off the roof of this house in Blossom Park. (Photo courtesy of Billy LaCharity)
The storm blew shingles off the roof of this house in Blossom Park. (Photo courtesy of Bill LaCharity)
Barns were destroyed and animals were trapped on the McWilliams Farm in Navan. Ottawa fire crews helped to rescue trapped animals and build new shelters for them. (Photo courtesy of Valerie McWilliams)
Barns were destroyed and animals were trapped on the McWilliams Farm in Navan. Ottawa fire crews helped to rescue trapped animals and build new shelters for them. (Photo courtesy of Valerie McWilliams)
The steeple of Paroisse Saint-Hugues in Sarsfield was knocked down during the storm. (Photo courtesy of Francine Nadon)
The steeple of Paroisse Saint-Hugues in Sarsfield was knocked down during the storm. (Photo courtesy of Francine Nadon)
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Anti-Taliban law could be tweaked to get more humanitarian aid to Afghans: minister
A law outlawing any dealings with the Taliban, which charities complain is impeding their ability to help needy Afghans, could be adjusted by the federal government to give more flexibility to aid agencies.

Celebrations, protests take place on Canada Day in Ottawa
Thousands of people wearing red and white and waiving Canadian flags packed downtown Ottawa to celebrate Canada's 155th birthday on Friday, while groups of protesters popped up around Parliament Hill to protest COVID-19 vaccines and federal restrictions.
'It's recent': Survivor reflects on last Sask. residential school closing 25 years ago
It's been 25 years since Saskatchewan's last residential school closed, but some are still healing.
Biden intends to nominate a conservative, anti-abortion lawyer to federal judgeship, Kentucky Democrats say
U.S. President Joe Biden intends to nominate an anti-abortion Republican lawyer to a federal judgeship, two Kentucky Democrats informed of the decision say.
'Summer of recovery': Pandemic-stricken tourism industry sees signs of optimism
Canada Day has kicked off the unofficial start of summer, and the tourism sector is hopeful the first season in three years largely free of COVID-19 restrictions will marshal a much-needed boost for a pandemic-stricken industry.
'You do not want this' virus: California man with monkeypox urges others to get vaccinated
A California man has posted a widely-shared video in an attempt to educate people about the monkeypox virus outbreak, to encourage people to get vaccinated if they're eligible and to make it very clear: 'You do not want this.'
West Vancouver retiree heading back to Ukraine to help abandoned animals
When Dan Fine returned from his first trip volunteering at animal shelters on the Polish-Ukrainian border in late April, he immediately felt compelled to return to continue helping pets that have been left behind in the war.
'We have to build bridges': Canadian singer Chantal Kreviazuk on Ukraine, reconciliation
Moving toward reconciliation doesn't come from jumping 'the queue to perfection,' but by building bridges and trusting one another, Canadian singer-songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk told CTV News Channel during Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa on Friday.
The Canadian flag in the context of 'Freedom Convoy' and residential schools
In the wake of last year’s discoveries of unmarked graves at residential schools and the prominent displays of the Canadian flag during 'Freedom Convoy' protests, some Canadians are re-evaluating the meaning of the national symbol.